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The Ministry of Justice has reversed a decision not to include Wales in a new law aimed at offering health workers extra legal protection against disturbances and nuisances on NHS premises.
New Legislative Programme for WAG for 2008 – 2009
On 15 July 2008, Rhodri Morgan announced WAG’s new legislative programme for 2008 – 2009. His announcement focuses on delivering legislative changes through five Measures and four LCO’s where additional powers are to be sought:
- A Measure to provide greater support to children and families experiencing poverty. This will include a duty on public agencies to demonstrate a commitment to ending child poverty and to provide free childcare places and other early years’ services in specific areas.
- A Measure covering additional learning needs to extend the range of individuals who may appeal to a Special Educational Needs Wales Tribunal
- A Measure to establish a level playing field for charges for specified care services levied by local authorities.
- A Measure for Local Government which will link wellbeing and community planning with service improvement to secure effective and joined up community planning.
- Following final approval to the Affordable Housing LCO next Autumn, a Measure will be developed to give local authorities the power to apply to the Welsh Ministers to designate areas of housing pressure where the Right to Buy may be suspended for a limited period of time.
The LCO’s which are being sought, include:
- To enable WAG to legislate to provide support for carers by placing appropriate duties on public sector organisations.
- To secure powers to legislate to place a statutory obligation on local authorities to promote culture and encourage partnership to deliver high quality cultural experiences for their communities.
- To enable the Assembly to legislate to provide for further educational institutions in Wales to have the power to award foundation degrees.
- To secure legislative powers in agriculture over the red meat industry, so that there is an ability to influence the future direction of the industry.
